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Does the UN Effectively Fulfill its Mission?

By Presidential Proclamation, the United States celebrated October 24th as "United Nations Day." Many today question the relevance of the United Nations. Founded to maintain international security and help solve economic, social, and humanitarian problems...

Does the United Nations continue to effectively fulfill its mission?

Comments

Comments

katherine B.

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Wisconsin, USA

October 24, 2007

Katherine in Wisconsin writes:

Yes, i believe that the united nations is doing a great job and is fulfilling its mission.

Jeannie

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Ohio, USA

October 24, 2007

Jeannie in Ohio writes:

The UN is the best thing as far as world government is concerned and it could be so much more!

Linda

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Canada

October 24, 2007

Linda in Canada writes:

Yes, I believe the UN has always fulfilled its mission and should continue doing so. I also believe the UN should have more power in terms of peacekeeping and what they can do to stop abuse and murder. As well as, banning countries that are not participating according to their human rights charter. Such an organization is invaluable to the world, to this planet, if given the power to execute their mandate and charter effectively.

The problem with United States is that we don't take a LOUD enough stand and grant the UN power to carry out its' cause. We continue to allow countries with human rights abuse to get stronger and richer and we haven't figured out a way to follow what we preach.

The UNITED NATIONS is vital and it is imperative it has the power by proxy with the members to effectively have power to effect change and stand by its' charter. The UN is capable of doing far more if it was given the power than to just educate the world and leave change to grassroots organizations.

Just to mention some of the most recent achievements...

1/ The UN Won The Nobel Peace Prize, Again!
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Al Gore together won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to educate the world on catastrophic climate change. This is the third time in the past seven years that a UN entity has been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize.

2/ In 2007, there is the highest number of Afghan Children enrolled in school in the country's history.
Aided by the UN's work in Afghanistan, more children are attending school than ever before in the country's history, most especially girls. This is turning the tide for the educational future of an entire generation of young Afghans.

3/ We have the largest number of peacekeepers ever deployed
In the past year, more than 110 countries sent troops to serve in 18 UN peacekeeping missions in places like Liberia, Sudan, Lebanon, and Haiti, contributing to the largest deployment of UN peacekeepers in history.

4/ Millions of children protected against preventable disease
The Measles Initiative, which includes the World Health Organization, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Foundation, has helped vaccinate over 372 million children -- reducing measles deaths in Africa by 75% (compared to 1999). By partnering with campaigns like Nothing But Nets, they also distribute life saving mosquito nets that protect children from malaria. And far more needs to be done so people don't die unnecessarily in Africa. From Malaria as we sit on our high hogs here not having to worry about it. This is mandatory. We have to look out for the children who cannot help themselves. This is our spiritual service on this planet. Our duty.

5/ New Technology enables disaster relief to arrive faster in humanitarian crises
In partnership with the UN's disaster relief organization (OCHA), the UN's Children Fund (UNICEF) and other UN agencies, the NGO Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF), also known as Telecoms Without Borders, deployed seven times this year to support emergency relief efforts in places like Darfur's refugee camps, and coastal areas of Peru devastated by the 8.1 magnitude earthquake this summer.

I believe the 5 sited cases listed above speak volumes to the benefits and contributions the United Nations (UN)makes to this world. Where would the world be without a voice and power for peacekeeping and Humanitarian Aid missions. The world is in desperate need of a Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Aid body. And not just for international dialogue. Given it was founded to maintain international security, and help solve economic, social and humanitarian problems...what needs to be done to have the UN be as effective as it can in being able to execute such a mission. Whatever changes are required to restructure it for success...I am all for it.

Deborah

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Indiana, USA

October 24, 2007

Deborah in Indiana writes:

The UN does fulfill its mission.

Jacqueline

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United States

October 24, 2007

Jacqueline in U.S.A. writes:

Keep it up!

Andrew

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New York, USA

October 24, 2007

Andrew in New York writes:

Yes, nations united are not easily bullied by imperialists.

Omar P.

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New York, USA

October 24, 2007

Omar in New York writes:

Yes! The United Nation continues to effectively fulfill its mission. Those in the U.S. Government who do not see it that way simply do not understand how the United Nations functions and how we can use it to enhance the image of the U.S. throughout the world.

We missed a great opportunity after 9/11 when every country in the world show willingness to side with America against those who attacked us. It was the best time to device strategies that would have continued this relationship and to broaden our moral standing in the world.

If we treated the UN with more respect and truly recognize those things that it does best, and if we attempted more to identify with those issues, the UN members would look up to the U.S. more as a moral and just leader and,in turn, our diplomats would have an easier time in getting cooperation at the United Nations.

Gerda

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California, USA

October 24, 2007

Gerda in California writes:

The United Nations has done a great many things well. Among them is disaster relief, Schooling and health benefits for many poor children, peace keeping and atomic patrolling of many countries, and they have done it more honestly than many great powers.

dennis

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Arizona, USA

October 24, 2007

Dennis in Arizona writes:

Yes, the UN fulfills it's mission, and America should support it fully. Peacekeeping, children's health programs, and the chance to communicate more effectively with other nations make the UN more important than ever in these troubled times.

Jan

October 24, 2007

Jan writes:

I have been a strong support of the UN since its founding and have always appreciated how it and its many agencies, such as UNICEF and the ones working with disaster relief, refugee resettlement, human rights and health care issues, are able to work effectively and cooperatively in such a divided and diverse world. I believe the UN continues to be very relative and extremely needed in our increasingly hostile world.

Charlotte

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Ohio, USA

October 24, 2007

Charlotte in Ohio writes:

The United Nations is the best hope we have for making this a world of peace and understanding. Despite all odds, the UN is definitely fulfilling its mission and it deserves our support.

Michelle

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Indiana, USA

October 24, 2007

Michelle in Indiana writes:

The United Nations fulfills its mission in many ways, but it needs more funding to be fully effective. There is a need for a U.S. Department of Peace with a cabinet-level staff position. We need to focus on putting energy and resources into creating and maintaining peace instead of war.

gertrude

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California, USA

October 24, 2007

Gertrude in California writes:

I get the United Nations Foundation daily report and am impressed by how much they accomplish and how involved they are with the right needs. I read the NY Times daily and always read about the efforts of the United Nations. I would give them an "A" for industry!

PaulaGordon

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Georgia, USA

October 24, 2007

Paula in Georgia writes:

A boundless debt of gratitude is due to the United Nations from every person on earth, especially from Americans. Those of us in the USA too often forget to say "Thank You" to the UN, one of the most potent Forces for Good, anywhere. So, yes, the United Nations continues to effectively fulfill its mission and just like the United States, must always strive to do even better.

Angelika

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United States

October 24, 2007

Angelika in USA writes:

The UN fulfills its mission as much as the member nations , esp.the USA allows them the room to do so.

We would have a lot more strife and wars in this world if there was no UN, countries do pay attention to UN mandates and what a great thing to have almost 200 different ideas and countries sit together and see what is the best thing for our planet , that we ALL share.

Innumerable lives have been saved by and through UN missions.

The USA should pay it's dues and listen more to UN voices,

Stnimirka

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Serbia

October 24, 2007

Stnimirka in Serbia writes:

I believe that most of my generation (1948) would not be able to conceive the world without the UN, and I hope that future generations will feel the same.

Arvin

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Montana, USA

October 24, 2007

Arvin in Montana writes:

If this appointed president had listened to the UN or anyone who didn't have an economic interest in oil, America wouldn't be bogged down like a pig in tar in Iraq.

Wanda

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California, USA

October 24, 2007

Wanda in California writes:

A whole heck of a lot better than our current President and Congress!

Maaike

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New York, USA

October 24, 2007

Maaike in New York writes:

If you honestly look at what the world community together, through the UN has achieved over the past 62 years, it is truly amazing. There is always room for improvement and there will always be problems in any organization. But questioning the UN will only weaken our possibilities for finding common solutions to shared problems. So the UN deserves our support and we need to work together to make the UN even stronger and better.

Corinne

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Minnesota, USA

October 24, 2007

Corinne in Minnesota writes:

The UN does everything it can within its range of capabilities. Hampered, however, by lack of members concerted efforts to make change because of political policy; trade, etc. Its high time the U.S. stopped criticizing it and started to work with it in more positive ways to affect change.

LOIS B.

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New York, USA

October 24, 2007

Lois in New York writes:

I believe the United Nations serves many populations and countries in the areas of health, human rights, environment and international conventions on a multitude of issues.

The United Nations is currently in the process of reform which is greatly needed; however, there are many offices which are very effective.

Strengthen the United Nations and work toward it's greater effectiveness. The people of this world need it now more than ever before.

Brian

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District Of Columbia, USA

October 24, 2007

Brian in Washington, DC writes:

I firmly believe that the United Nations is the best hope for global social, humanitarian and economic well-being. To be sure, any such complex organization is inherently imperfect, yet this should be seen as an opportunity for improvement, and not as an excuse to sabotage the organization, which has been the policy of the United States whenever the UN in any way inhibits its interests. As long as the United States refuses to work in the interests of the greater good, global progress on any front will remain stymied. I hope some day soon we will see a change of priorities in our country.

Martha

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New York, USA

October 24, 2007

Martha in New York writes:

The UN is always trying to be effective. For the pittance spent on it, it does a remarkable job. The world needs a centralized place where representatives of all nations can meet and speak, particularly informally. What is done beyond that, e.g. on health and helping children, is wonderful.

Dane

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Arizona, USA

October 24, 2007

Dane in Arizona writes:

The UN is needed now more than ever before.

For the first time in the history of the human race, the most powerful nation in the world (in a military sense) is also the most dangerous nation in the world.

The United States 1) invades sovereign nations for no reason, 2) it tortures people accused of no crime in secret prisons, and 3) it spys on it's own citizens.

The UN must watch Bush like a hawk and take appropriate action before he invades the next time.

Robert

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District Of Columbia, USA

October 24, 2007

Robert in Washington, DC writes:

While the UN is, of course, an imperfect organization, it is nonetheless an important one, and useful to the US. Its peacekeeping -- take Cyprus and Haiti as two successes, and many others, such as Liberia, as partial successes; the sanctions against Libya, North Korea, and now Iran which have led at least Libya and perhaps now NK to back down from nuclear weapons; the Tsunami relief and the World Food Program -- are just a few positive examples.

That said, it must be noted that the efforts of our previous UN Ambassador to tear down the organization have hurt its effectiveness. Ambassador Khalilzad's support for an expanded role for the UN in Iraq shows that the adults are now back in charge

Tracy

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Texas, USA

October 24, 2007

Tracy in Texas writes:

The UN is not as efficient as they could be, but when you are dealing with so many different governments and the realities of what they contain, the UN does a good job, especially in regards to the children's welfare. The mosquito net program and measles vaccinations have been especially effective.

If we can get rid of the corruption and pandering, it would be better, but that's with the U.S. government also.

Sumner

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Florida, USA

October 24, 2007

Sumner in Florida writes:

Yes! If only the USA would pay their bills and begin to use it as a diplomatic tool rather blunder into geopolitical wars where the blood of young Americans is traded for oil and profit.

Shirley

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California, USA

October 24, 2007

Shirley in California writes:

Yes, I absolutely support the work of the United Nations to promote diplomacy and accord among nations, to alleviate suffering and raise the quality of life for all.

What better alternatives are available to work for peace and charity that work as broadly and well?

Congratulations to the United Nations on the 24 Oct. 2007!
May you thrive among the chaos and turmoil.

William

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Hawaii, USA

October 24, 2007

William in Hawaii writes:

The UN does its best with the resources it has, whether in peacekeeping, disease prevention, education or other efforts. It needs to be adequately funded and not vilified as the Oil for Food program was, while several member countries were not only aware of, but were accomplices in the scam.

Linda

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New Jersey, USA

October 24, 2007

Linda in New Jersey writes:

I believe the UN does a very good job of helping people all around the world. It should be better supported by the U.S.